Tirupati Balaji Temple is located in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district. It is one of the richest temples in the world known by different names such as Tirupati Temple, Tirumala Temple, and Tirupati Balaji Temple. The temple is considered to be where Lord Venkateshwara took an idol’s form and it houses the deity Govinda. It is entirely dedicated to Lord Venkateswara and is believed to be Lord Vishnu’s form, who appeared to save mankind on earth from kali Yuga. Spiritually, the temple is considered to be a sanctum sanctorum where divine intervention is sought by devotees for their well-being, aspirations, and personal struggles. You can reach Tirupati Balaji Temple by various means including by train, air, or flight. In this article, we will take a look at the best ways to reach Tirupati Balaji Temple for a fuss-free travel experience.
Travel Options for Tirupati Balaji Temple
By Rail
Tirumala doesn’t have a railhead of its own. At Tirupati, tourists have to alight. Tirupati is situated at a distance of around 26 km from Tirumala. Tirupati railway station is well-developed and very spacious. It even has an escalator and is endowed with five platforms. From all the metros trains halt here.
From Bangalore
- Duration: 6-7 hours approximately
- Options include Garudadri Express and Tirupati Express.
From Chennai
- Frequent trains such as Venkatadri Express and Sapthagiri Express.
- Duration: 3.5 hours approximately
From Hyderabad
- Direct trains such as Rayalaseema Express and Narayanadri Express.
- Duration: 12 hours approximately
From Delhi
- This long-distance route is served by Andhra Pradesh Sampark Kranti Express.
- Duration: 30+ hours approximately
From Pune & Mumbai
- Renigunta Express along with other weekly trains.
- Â Duration: 20-25 hours approximately
Train Classes
- 3AC & 2AC: Air-conditioned and comfortable.
- Sleeper Class: Ideal for group travelers, budget-friendly.
- Executive Chair Car: Ideal for those who want to embark on short-distance day trips from nearby cities.
- Peak Seasons: You can expect crowds during summer vacations, Brahmotsavam and Vaikunta Ekadasi.
Top Trains to TravelÂ
- Duronto Express
- Rajdhani Express
- Shatabdi Express.
For further convenience, you can check the list of trains on the website of the Indian Railway.
From Railway Station to Tirupati Balaji Temple
- APSRTC Buses:You will find regular bus services to Tirumala.
- Private Taxis/Autos:Autos and private taxis are available outside the station.
- Divine Walk (Footpath Routes):You have the option to walk from Srivari Mettu or Alipiri.
Booking Tips
- For real-time availability, you should use IRCTC.
- Choose evening or morning trains for the most scenic views.
- If you’re booking tickets at the last minute check for Tatkal options.
By Air
The nearest airport to Tirumala is situated near Renigunta, which is located at a distance of around 39 km from Lord Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala, and 16 km from Tirupati. Direct flights to the main Indian cities such as Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, New Delhi, and Hyderabad operate from their airport. An upgrade has been made to the airport at Renigunta to international by the Central government.
Flight Company | Destination |
Air India | New Delhi to Tirupati |
Indigo | Bengaluru to Tirupati |
Indigo | Indore to Tirupati |
1Star Air | Mumbai to Tirupati |
By Bus
From Tirupati, Tirumala has direct bus services with a frequency of a bus every 2 to 3 minutes. Paid private bus and taxi operators also ply buses from nearby cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Visakhapatnam to Tirupati. On Ghat road from Tirupati to Tirumala buses and other transportation options are not allowed between 12:00 AM and 3:00 AM.
Distances from Major Cities
- Delhi- 2125.4 km
- Tirumala: 21.4 km
- Mumbai: 1251.2 km
- Ahmedabad: 1670.1 km
- Kolkata: 1651.0 km
- Surat: 1484.2 km
- Pune: 1138.8 km
- Hyderabad: 580.0 km
By Road
Extensive networks of state and national highways connect Tirupati to the main nearby cities in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and other states.
From Chennai
The journey from Chennai to Tirupati is around 138 km journey and via NH 32 and 68 it takes around 3 hours. Tamil Nadu state transport and APSRTC buses run frequently every fifteen to thirty minutes to Tirupati from Chennai. For one way ride you will have to pay around ₹1800-2500.
From Hyderabad
A 575 km journey by road via NH 44 takes around ten hours. Buses operate on a daily basis doing multiple trips. You can also opt for taxis that will cost you around ₹9000-₹12,000 one way.
From Bangalore
The distance from Bangalore to Tirupati is around 402 km and you can cover this distance by NH 75 in around 7 hours. Regular Volvo bus services are operated by KSRTC from Bangalore to Tirupati. You will have to pay around ₹800 per person. Depending on the model of the car you select, one-way taxi fares will cost around ₹5,500-7,000 depending.
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